Elizabeth Ficek

Elizabeth ?Betty? Ficek, 83, Bismarck, died Saturday morning, October 8, 2011. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:30 AM at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck with Rev. John Guthrie officiating. Burial will be held at 1:00 PM at ND Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:30 ? 7:30 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will be held at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Betty was born to Sam and Lena Anheluk Gulka on May 21, 1928. She was raised in New Hradec and Dickinson where she graduated from Model High School. She married Tony Ficek on February 4, 1947. They lived in Dickinson most of their lives until their move to Bismarck in 2004, to be closer to their children. Tony and Betty were married for 63 years until Tony?s death on February 28, 2010. Betty was first and foremost a homemaker, caring for her children and especially her husband. She was Tony?s partner in their plumbing business where she acted as the bookkeeper and business manager. Betty had a talent for cooking and baking and she was always prepared to offer something freshly baked to anyone who might stop by for coffee. Betty and Tony were lifelong dance partners. They loved to dance the polka and would travel to many states to attend polka parties. Betty also loved to sew. She was best known for the beautiful quilts she made for her grandsons. Betty had a wonderful sense of humor. It didn?t take much to get her to laugh. She always had a smile for everyone. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Ken Ficek, Bismarck, Peg Dennis Nelson, Bismarck, Gary Rhonda Ficek, Fargo, and Keith Ficek, Dickinson. She is also survived by six grandsons, Mark and Brad Ficek, Jeff Robinson, Tony, Daniel, and Andrew Ficek; two step-grandchildren, Sarah Bunnell and Tyler Nelson; brothers, Jim Gulka, Dickinson, ND, and Steven Gulka, Lakewood, CO , Dickinson; and sister, Anna Basaraba, Williston, formerly of Belfield. Betty?s family is so appreciative of the wonderful care their Mom received from everyone at St. Gabriel?s.

Elizabeth Ficek

May 21, 1928 - October 8, 2011